Set the Scene
There are Hamptons hotels where you're constantly heading out- to dinner, the beach, or to window shop along the main streets of its towns. Then there's The Pridwin Hotel & Cottages.
The nearly century-old resort has welcomed guests since 1927, but following a top-to-bottom facelift, it's a fresh take on the classic American summer hotel. Sitting on 10 waterfront acres overlooking Crescent Beach, The Pridwin brings a dose of Manhattan polish to one of the quieter corners of the Hamptons.
One of the best things about staying here is that you never need to leave. Days unfold between the pool, complimentary water sports, boat excursions aboard the hotel's own boat, cocktails on the lawn, and dinners overlooking the water. This summer, guests can sip a cocktail menu created with New York Cocktail Company and curated by Dante, widely regarded as one of the world's best bars, before gathering for the hotel's new Sundowners on Shelter ritual in partnership with Château Minuty.
It's intimate and stylish. Forget cavernous facilities and waiting rooms filled with guests in robes. Here, you'll likely share the space with only a handful of people, and you may even have it entirely to yourself.
The design mirrors the hotel's easy, breezy coastal vibe and was conceived by Colleen Bashaw, Vice President of Hotel Interior Design at the Pridwin's hospitality company, Cape Resorts. Colorful Josef Frank wallpaper and framed vintage bathing suits from the 1950s and '60s line the walls.
This season, the spa welcomes Tammy Fender Holistic Skincare for a wellness residency, bringing the Palm Beach brand's botanical facials and body treatments to Shelter Island. Long a favorite of celebrities and beauty editors, Tammy Fender has built a devoted following for treatments that deliver visible results without sacrificing relaxation. With just three treatment rooms, it's one of the smallest spas in the Hamptons. I've visited many spas across this tony part of the East End, and this is the one I'd return to.
The Treatment
The arrival of Tammy Fender is reason enough to book a treatment. Her botanical facials strike that hard to achieve balance between results and relaxation. The products smell beautiful without being overpowering, while the treatment noticeably plumps, brightens, and lifts the skin. My complexion looked refreshed, almost as though I had a subtle facelift, yet the experience was every bit as calming as a great massage.
Then there was my 90-minute signature massage, which was worth the trip on its own.
My therapist blended pressure-point therapy, assisted stretching, and long, flowing strokes to release layers of tension throughout my body. A lingering scalp massage at the end was the perfect finish. I left looser, lighter, and far more relaxed than when I arrived.
Fast Facts
Location: The Pridwin Hotel & Cottages, Shelter Island, New York
Atmosphere: Intimate, waterfront, and restorative
Price Point: $$$$
Our Favorite Thing About the Spa: With just three treatment rooms, the spa is one of the most personal wellness experiences in the Hamptons.
Recommended Treatment: The 90-minute signature massage or one of Tammy Fender's customized botanical facials.
Shelter Island, New York, United States
